Method and system for synchronizing illumination timing in a multi-sensor imager

ABSTRACT

Examples embodiments of a method and system for synchronizing active illumination pulses in a multi-sensor imager is provided. Example embodiments of the method disclosed herein include the provision of an illumination pulse for each of N sensors, each of N illumination pulses are set to have the same pulse period and active pulse width. Moreover, example embodiments include setting the active width pulse for each of the N illumination pulses to have maximum exposure time for each of N image sensors, and in further examples, ensuring that the time to capture a frame plus the time interval between subsequent image captures is the same for each sensor. In yet further examples, an offset period between subsequent frame synchronous signals is determined. In yet further example embodiments, an interval between frame captures is adjusted and a negative edge of the frame synchronous signal and an illumination pulse is aligned.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Applicationfor Invention No. 201611235124.3 for A Method and System forSynchronizing Illumination Timing in a Multi-Sensor Imager filed Dec.28, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to multi-sensor imaging systems, and inparticular to the illumination techniques in such systems.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking with the development of new imaging technologies andcustomer demand for increasingly better imaging products, multi-sensorimaging systems with dedicated central processing units (CPUs) arenecessary. For better user experience and power efficiency, illuminationsystems for the sensor must be synchronous to cover a common field ofview (FOV) area and to improve illumination strength

Some illuminations must be isolated from the synchronous illumination toavoid interfering with other sensors. However, in most cases theillumination pulse is controlled by sensors, such as global shuttersensors. It is difficult to synchronize the operation of the sensors andthe illumination pulses.

For example, one CPU includes one or two imaging sensor interfaces. In abi-optics image scanner, there are at least four sides (bottom side, topside, left side, and right side) to capture the image. Two to four CPUsare required to support four image sensors. Generally, each image sensorhas its own illumination source. If illumination timing from each of theimage sensors isn't controlled, illumination from the top side can enterinto the bottom side sensor directly, for example. Usually, the timingof the image sensors is adjusted to avoid illumination conflict andimprove illumination overlap according to the instant requirements.However, in various CPU systems, it is difficult to adjust the sensortimings to get the appropriate illumination time, whether it be overlaptiming or non-overlap timing.

Therefore, a need exists for a multi-sensor illumination timing controlwhich is simple to implement and provides stable illumination with noflickering.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a system forsynchronizing illumination timing in a multi-sensor imager.

In an exemplary embodiment, the system is comprised of N number of imagesensors with active pulse illumination, N being a natural number >2.Each sensor is configured to generate a frame synchronous signal(FEN_(N)) for image capture, where subscript N indicates the imagesensor corresponding to the frame synchronous signal. The system furthercomprises at least two CPUs. Each of the CPUs controls at least 1 of theN number of image sensors. The system further includes an illuminationcontrol block communicatively linked to each of the CPUs. Theillumination control block is configured to generate illumination pulsesfor each of N image sensors. The illumination pulse for each of the Nimage sensors being set to have the same pulse period (T_(p)) and activepulse width (W_(p)). The active width pulse for each illumination pulseis set to have maximum exposure time for each of N image sensors. Theillumination control block is further configured to communicate pulseperiod (T_(p)) and active pulse width (W_(p)) for the illuminationpulses to each of the CPUs. Each of the CPUs is configured to ensureduring initialization of image capture that time to capture a frame(T_(fr)) plus a time interval between subsequent image captures(T_(wait)) is equal to the illumination pulse period T_(p) communicatedby illumination control block, and is therefore the same for eachsensor, T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN). Each ofthe CPUs is further configured to monitor the frame synchronous signal(FEN_(N)) and corresponding illumination pulse for the image sensorunder the control of the particular CPU. Further, each of the CPUs isconfigured to calculate offset periods (T_(dN) and T_(dN+1)), the offsetperiod being between the negative edge of the illumination pulse and thenegative edge of the frame synchronous signal corresponding to each of Nimage sensors. Each of the CPUs is further configured to adjust theT_(waitN) to T_(waitNR), where T_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN). Finally,each of the CPUs is configured to align the negative edge of FEN_(N) andthe corresponding illumination pulse.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each of the CPUscorresponds on a one-to-one basis with the N number of sensors.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each of the CPUs controls2 of the N number of sensors.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the illumination controlblock is selected from a central processing unit (CPU), a complexprogrammable logic device (CPLD), and a field programmable gate array(FPGA).

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each of the CPUs isconfigured to integrate the corresponding image sensor image capturewith an active integration time.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each of the CPUs isconfigured to limit the active integration time of the correspondingimage sensor according to the pulse width (W_(p)).

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the active integrationtime is W_(p) based upon T_(intN)>W_(p), T_(intN) being the pixelintegration time for exposure, set by the image sensor N.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, the active integrationtime is T_(intN) based upon T_(intN)<W_(p), where T_(intN) is the pixelintegration time for exposure, set by the sensor N.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each illumination pulsehas a frequency that is equal to a frame rate of the corresponding imagesensor.

In another exemplary embodiment of the system, each illumination pulsehas a frequency that is equal to twice a frame rate of the correspondingimage sensor.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a method forsynchronizing active illumination pulses in a multi-sensor imager havingN number of sensors, where N is a nonzero natural number and subscript Nin conjunction with a period (T) and a frame synchronous signal (FEN)correlates with the corresponding sensor.

In an exemplary embodiment, the method comprises the steps of: (a)providing an illumination pulse for each of N sensors from anillumination control block; (b) setting each of N illumination pulses tohave the same pulse period (T_(p)) and active pulse width (W_(p)); (c)setting the active width pulse for each of N illumination pulses to havemaximum exposure time for each of N image sensors; (d) ensuring duringinitialization of image capture that the time to capture a frame(T_(fr)) plus the time interval between subsequent image captures(T_(wait)) is the same for each sensor,T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN) and is equal tothe pulse period (T_(p)); (e) monitoring the frame synchronous signal(FEN_(N)) and corresponding illumination pulse for each sensor; (f)obtaining the offset periods (T_(dN) and T_(dN+1)) between FEN_(N) andFEN_(N+1) from the monitoring step, the offset period being between thenegative edge of the illumination pulse and the negative edge of theframe synchronous signal; (g) adjusting the T_(waitN) to T_(waitNR),where T_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN), the T_(dN) being determined in themonitoring step for the next frame capture; and (h) aligning thenegative edge of FEN_(N) and the corresponding illumination pulse.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises the stepof (i) integrating the sensors image capture with an active integrationtime.

In another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises the stepof limiting the active integration time according to the pulse width(W_(p)).

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the active integrationtime is W_(p) based upon T_(intN)>T_(intN) being the pixel integrationtime for exposure, set by the sensor N.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the active integrationtime is T_(intN) based upon T_(intN)<W_(p), where T_(intN) is the pixelintegration time for exposure, set by the sensor N.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the illumination pulsefrequency is twice the frame rate of the corresponding sensor.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the illumination pulsefrequency the same as the frame rate of the corresponding sensor.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, each of the N sensors iscontrolled by a corresponding CPU. The monitoring step is accomplishedby the CPU corresponding to the image sensor generating the FEN_(N).

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the method further comprises thestep of (j) communicating the pulse period (T_(p)) and active pulsewidth (W_(p)) to the corresponding CPU by the illumination controlblock.

In another exemplary embodiment of the method, the obtaining, adjusting,and aligning steps are accomplished by the corresponding CPU.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplaryobjectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in whichthe same are accomplished, are further explained within the followingdetailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a block diagram of the system in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts in a flow diagram, the functions of thecomponents of the system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts the signal flow for the system in anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for synchronizing activeillumination pulses in a multi-sensor imager in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces a system for synchronizing illuminationtiming in a multi-sensor imager.

In an exemplary embodiment, depicted in FIG. 1, the system (200)comprises an illumination control block (210), image sensors (222, 232,and 234), and CPUs (220 and 230). The system (200) illustrated depictsonly 2 CPU's (220 and 230) and only three imaging sensors (222, 232, and234), however more imaging sensors and corresponding CPU's are possible.In accordance with the present invention, and depicted in the Figure,each CPU controls either one or two imaging sensors. The “X” designationidentifies the CPU. The “N” designation identifies the imaging sensorand pulses and signals with the “N” subscript correspond to the imagingsensor with the same “N” designation.

The illumination control block (210) is communicatively linked to theCPUs (220 and 230). Illumination control block (210) may be a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), afield programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like.

The imaging sensors (222, 232, and 234) may be Jade sensors; that is,the imaging software is Java Agent Development Framework-based. In thealternative, the sensors may be global shutter sensors.

Referring now to FIG. 2, the system (200) of FIG. 1, is illustratedshowing the functions of the illumination control block (210) and theCPUs (220 and 230). The illumination control block (210) which generatesillumination pulses for each sensor in functions (213 and 214) firstsets the illumination pulse period (T_(p)) and the active pulse width(W_(p)) in function (211). The T_(p) and W_(p) are set by theillumination control block (210) to be the same for each illuminationpulse. The illumination control block (210) communicates the informationabout the illumination T_(p) and W_(p) to the CPUs (220 and 230) infunction (212).

The CPUs (220 and 230) control the sensors (222, 232, and 234respectively) and compel the sensors to initialize image capture insteps (240 a, 240 b, 240 c). The CPU's also are each configured toensure during initialization of image capture that time to capture aframe (T_(fr)) plus a time interval between subsequent image captures(T_(wait)) is the same for each sensor and is equal to the illuminationpulse period (T_(p)) communicated by the illumination control block(210). Thus,T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN)=T_(p), or in thepresent embodiment as shown in the FIG. 2 as function (241 a, 241 b, and241 c), T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(p), T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(p), andT_(fr3)+T_(wait3)=T_(p).

The CPUs (220 and 230) are configured to monitor the frame synchronoussignal (FEN_(N)) and corresponding illumination pulse for the imagesensor under the control the particular CPU. For example, in the Figure,CPU₁ monitors the frame synchronous signal (FEN₁) and Illumination Pulse1 in function (242 a). CPU₂ (230) monitors the frame synchronous signal(FEN₂) and Illumination Pulse 2 in function (242 b). Because CPU2 (230)controls Sensor 2 (232) and Sensor 3 (234), CPU₂ (230) also monitors theframe synchronous signal (FEN₃) and Illumination Pulse 3 in function(242 c).

In a similar way, CPU₁ (220) and CPU₂ (230) calculate offset periods,functions (243 a, 243 b, 243 c), (T_(dN), T_(dN+1) and T_(dN+2)respectively.) The offset period being that between the negative edge ofthe corresponding illumination pulse and the negative edge of the framesynchronous signal corresponding to each of N image sensors. Forexample, the offset period T_(d1) is between the negative edge ofillumination pulse 1 and the negative edge of FEN₁. In general, thenegative edge of a pulse is considered to be the high to low transitionof a square wave signal.

In functions 244 a, 224 b, and 244 c, the CPU's (220 and 230) areconfigured to adjust the time interval between image captures, or theT_(waitN). Thus, T_(waitN) is changed to T_(waitNR), whereT_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN), that is, the previous interval betweenimage captures plus the offset period for a given sensor. Thus, forSensor 1 (222) T_(wait1) is adjusted to T_(waitNR) which isT_(wait1)+T_(d1). The CPU's (220 and 230) make this adjustment of Twaitbased upon calculating the offset period, T_(dN).

In functions 245 a, 245 b, and 245 c, the CPU's (220 and 230) areconfigured to align the negative edge of FEN_(N) and the correspondingillumination pulse. For example, CPU1 (220) is configured to align thenegative edge of FEN₁ and illumination pulse 1.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the illumination pulse and the framesynchronous signal for only Sensors 1 and 2 (222 and 232) are shown incomparison to each other. FIG. 3, is discussed in conjunction with FIGS.1 and 2.

The active illumination pulse (500) is shown to have a pulse periodT_(p) (501) and a pulse width W_(p) (502).

FEN₁ (300) has an offset period T_(d1) (301) as FEN₂ (400) has an offsetperiod T_(d2) (401). Note that the offset periods T_(dN) ensure that theillumination pulse (500) does not illumination the same portion ofT_(fr1) (303) and T_(fr2) (403), the frame capture periods. At the sametime, the interval between frame captures (T_(waitN)) should be the samefor each sensor. So, in the FIG. 3, it can be seen that T_(wait1)(302)+T_(fr1) (303)=T_(wait2) (402)+T_(fr2) (403) at the same time asbeing offset from each other.

It can also be seen from the signal flow in FIG. 3 that a new intervalbetween frame captures T_(waitNR) is equal to T_(waitN)+T_(dN). Inparticular, T_(wait1R) (304)=T_(wait1) (302)+T_(d1) (301) and T_(wait1R)(404)=T_(wait1) (402)+T_(d2) (401).

Also shown in FIG. 3 are the pixel integration times: T_(int1) (305) forSensor 1 (222) and T_(int2) for Sensor 2 (232). The active integrationtime for each sensor may be equal to the pixel integration time,T_(intN), when T_(intN)<W_(p) (502), the illumination pulse width.Alternatively, the active integration time may be equal to theillumination pulse width, W_(p) (502) when the pixel integration time,T_(intN) is greater than or equal to the illumination pulse width, W_(p)(502).

In FIG. 3, the illumination pulse (500) has a frequency which is equalto the frame rate of Sensor 1 (222) and Sensor 2 (232). Alternatively,the illumination pulse (500) may have a frequency which is twice theframe rate of the sensors (222 and 232) (not shown in Figure).

The present invention also embraces a method for synchronizing activeillumination pulses in a multi-sensor imager. The method which will bedescribed in conjunction with the system illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and3.

Referring to FIG. 4, in an exemplary embodiment, the method comprisesthe steps of: (601) providing an illumination pulse for each of Nsensors from an illumination control block; (602) setting each of Nillumination pulses to have the same pulse period (T_(p)) and activepulse width (W_(p)); (603) setting the active width pulse for each of Nillumination pulses to have maximum exposure time for each of N imagesensors; (604) ensuring during initialization of image capture that thetime to capture a frame (T_(fr)) plus the time interval betweensubsequent image captures (T_(wait)) is the same for each sensor,T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN), and is equal tothe pulse period (T_(p)); (605) monitoring the frame synchronous signal(FEN_(N)) and corresponding illumination pulse for each sensor; (606)obtaining the offset periods (T_(dN) and T_(dN+1)) between FEN_(N) andFEN_(N+1) from the monitoring step, the offset period being between thenegative edge of the illumination pulse and the negative edge of theframe synchronous signal; (607) adjusting the T_(waitN) to T_(waitNR),where T_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN), the T_(dN) being determined in themonitoring step for the next frame capture; and (608) aligning thenegative edge of FENN and the corresponding illumination pulse.

The method may further comprise the step of (609) communicating thepulse period (T_(P)) and active pulse width (W_(p)) to the correspondingCPU by the illumination control block after the (602) setting step.

The method may further comprise the steps of (610) integrating thesensors image capture with an active integration time and (611) oflimiting the active integration time according to the pulse width(W_(p)).

For step (611), the active integration time is set to be theillumination pulse width, W_(p), based upon the pixel integration time,T_(intN) being greater than or equal to W_(p). T_(intN) being set by thecorresponding sensor N.

For step (611), the active integration time is set to be the pixelintegration time, T_(intN), based upon the pixel integration time beingless than the illumination pulse width W_(p).

In the method, each of the N sensors is controlled by a correspondingCPU. The monitoring step (605) is accomplished by the CPU correspondingto the image sensor generating the FEN_(N). The obtaining (606),adjusting (607), and aligning (608) steps are accomplished by thecorresponding CPU.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporatesentirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patentapplication publications, and patent applications:

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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes anyand all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. Thefigures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawnto scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in ageneric and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A system for synchronizing illuminationtiming in a multi-sensor imager, comprising: N number of image sensorswith active pulse illumination, N being a natural number >2, each sensorbeing configured to generate a frame synchronous signal (FEN_(n)) forimage capture, where subscript N indicates the image sensorcorresponding to the frame synchronous signal; at least 2 CPUs, each ofthe CPUs controlling at least 1 of the N number of image sensors; anillumination control block communicatively linked to each of the CPUs;the illumination control block being configured to generate illuminationpulses for each of N image sensors, the illumination pulse for each ofthe N image sensors being set to have an illumination pulse period(T_(p)) and an active pulse width (W_(p)), the active width pulse foreach illumination pulse being set to have maximum exposure time for eachof N image sensors, wherein the illumination pulse period (T_(p)) andthe active pulse width (W_(p)) for the illumination pulse are the samefor each of N image sensors; the illumination control block beingconfigured to communicate the illumination pulse period (T_(p)) andactive pulse width (W_(p)) for the illumination pulses to each of theCPUs; each of the CPUs being configured to ensure during initializationof image capture that time to capture a frame (T_(fr)) plus a timeinterval between subsequent image captures (T_(wait)) is equal to theillumination pulse period T_(p), and is the same for each sensor,T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN); each of the CPUsbeing configured to integrate a corresponding image capture by the imagesensor with an active integration time that corresponds to the activepulse width (Wp) in response to a determination that a pixel integrationtime for exposure associated with the image sensor is greater than orequal to the active pulse width (Wp); each of the CPUs being configuredto align a negative edge of the frame synchronous signal (FEN_(n)) forthe image sensor under the control of the CPU and a negative edge of acorresponding illumination pulse, the negative edge of the framesynchronous signal being the T_(wait) negative edge; each of the CPUsbeing further configured to calculate offset periods (T_(dN) andT_(dN+1)), the offset period being between the negative edge of theillumination pulse and the negative edge of the frame synchronous signalcorresponding to each of N image sensors; and each of the CPUs beingfurther configured to adjust the T_(waitN) to T_(waitNR) based on theoffset periods (T_(dN) and T_(dN+1)), where T_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN).2. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the CPUs correspond on aone-to-one basis with the N number of sensors.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein each of the CPUs control 2 of the N number of sensors.
 4. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the illumination control block is selectedfrom a CPU, a CPLD, and a FPGA.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein eachof the CPUs is configured to integrate the corresponding image sensorimage capture with the pixel integration time in response to adetermination that the pixel integration time is less than the activepulse width (Wp).
 6. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the CPUs isconfigured to limit the active integration time of the correspondingimage sensor according to the pulse width (W_(p)).
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each illumination pulse has a frequency that is equalto a frame rate of the corresponding image sensor.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each illumination pulse has a frequency that is equalto twice a frame rate of the corresponding image sensor.
 9. A method forsynchronizing active illumination pulses in a multi-sensor imager havingN number of sensors, where N is a nonzero natural number and subscript Nin conjunction with a period (T) and a frame synchronous signal (FEN)correlates with the corresponding sensor, comprising the steps of: a)providing an illumination pulse for each of the N sensors from anillumination control block; b) setting each of N illumination pulses tohave an illumination pulse period (T_(p)) and an active pulse width(W_(p)), wherein the illumination pulse period (T_(p)) and the activepulse width (W_(p)) for the illumination pulse are the same for each ofN image sensors; c) setting the active width pulse for each of Nillumination pulses to have maximum exposure time for each of N imagesensors; d) ensuring during initialization of image capture that thetime to capture a frame (T_(fr)) plus the time interval betweensubsequent image captures (T_(wait)) is the same for each sensor,T_(fr1)+T_(wait1)=T_(fr2)+T_(wait2)=T_(frN)+T_(waitN), and is equal tothe illumination pulse period (T_(p)); e) integrating a correspondingimage capture by the sensor with an active integration time thatcorresponds to the active pulse width (Wp) in response to adetermination that a pixel integration time for exposure associated withthe sensor is greater than or equal to the active pulse width (Wp); f)aligning a negative edge of the frame synchronous signal (FEN_(n)) forthe image sensor and a negative edge of a corresponding illuminationpulse for each sensor, the negative edge of the frame synchronous signalbeing the T_(wait) negative edge; g) obtaining the offset periods(T_(dN) and T_(dN+1)) between FEN_(n) and FEN_(n+1), the offset periodbeing between the negative edge of the illumination pulse and thenegative edge of the frame synchronous signal; and h) adjusting theT_(waitN) to T_(waitNR) based on the offset periods (T_(dN) andT_(dN+1)), where T_(waitNR)=T_(waitN)+T_(dN), the T_(dN) beingdetermined for the next frame capture.
 10. The method of 9, furthercomprising the step of integrating the sensors image capture with thepixel integration time in response to a determination that the pixelintegration time is less than the active pulse width (Wp).
 11. Themethod of 9, further comprising the step of limiting the activeintegration time according to the pulse width (W_(p)).
 12. The method ofclaim 9, wherein the illumination pulse frequency is twice the framerate of the corresponding sensor.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein theillumination pulse frequency the same as the frame rate of thecorresponding sensor.
 14. The method of claim 9, wherein each of Nsensors is controlled by a corresponding CPU.
 15. The method of claim14, further comprising the step of communicating the illumination pulseperiod (T_(P)) and active pulse width (W_(p)) to the corresponding CPUby the illumination control block.
 16. The method of claim 14, whereinthe aligning, obtaining, and adjusting steps are accomplished by thecorresponding CPU.